Cerebral protection system

Abstract

A cerebral protection system generally includes an array of cold packs, an insulating cover, and optionally a set of trays. The cold pack contains two reactive materials separated by a rupturable membrane. When the first reactive material and the second reactive material are mixed, an endothermic reaction occurs. The system can be used to induce hypothermia in selected regions of the brain when used. The system can be used to treat conditions including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), heatstroke, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, anoxic brain injury, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing metabolic activity of a patient, comprising:
 applying a cerebral protection system to the head of the patient, wherein the cerebral protection system comprises:
 an array of cold packs shaped to cover the head, each cold pack containing a first reactive material, a second reactive material, and a rupturable membrane separating the first reactive material from the second reactive material; 
 wherein the first reactive material and the second reactive material are capable of mixing and reacting in an endothermic reaction when the rupturable membrane is ruptured; 
 an insulating cover; and 
 a plurality of trays, each tray comprising an open top, a bottom, a plurality of compartments therein, and walls separating the compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive a cold pack, and where each tray is configured for attachment to the insulating cover. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first reactive material is water and the second reactive material is ammonium chloride. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating cover includes a neck fastener shaped to extend from one side of the neck to the other side of the neck. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating cover includes a chin fastener shaped to extend from a first area adjacent a first cheek of the head below a chin of the head to a second area adjacent a second cheek of the head. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a rear of the insulating cover includes an open vertical seam. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each tray fastens to the insulating cover such that the plurality of cold packs is located between the insulating cover and the bottom of the tray. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of trays comprises:
 a first tray and a fourth tray which are reflections of each other; 
 a second tray and a fifth tray which are reflections of each other; and 
 a third tray and a sixth tray which are reflections of each other; 
 wherein the first tray, second tray, third tray, fourth tray, fifth tray, and sixth tray each contain a plurality of compartments; 
 wherein the first tray has an arcuate shape; 
 wherein the second tray has an outer perimeter that extends about three-quarters of the circumference of a circle, and surrounds a central cutout; 
 wherein the third tray has a rectangular shape with one corner being shaped to include an arc that cooperates with the second tray to complete the central cutout and form an earhole; and 
 wherein each tray compartment contains a cold pack. 
 
     
     
       8. A method for treating concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), heatstroke, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, anoxic brain injury, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in a patient, comprising:
 applying a cerebral protection system to the head of the patient, wherein the cerebral protection system comprises:
 an array of cold packs shaped to cover the head, each cold pack containing a first reactive material, a second reactive material, and a rupturable membrane separating the first reactive material from the second reactive material, 
 wherein the first reactive material and the second reactive material are capable of mixing and reacting in an endothermic reaction when the rupturable membrane is ruptured; 
 an insulating cover; and 
 a plurality of trays, each tray comprising an open top, a bottom, a plurality of compartments therein, and walls separating the compartments, wherein each compartment is configured to receive a cold pack, and where each tray is configured for attachment to the insulating cover. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first reactive material is water and the second reactive material is ammonium chloride. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating cover includes a neck fastener shaped to extend from one side of the neck to the other side of the neck. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating cover includes a chin fastener shaped to extend from a first area adjacent a first cheek of the head below a chin of the head to a second area adjacent a second cheek of the head. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein a rear of the insulating cover includes an open vertical seam. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of trays comprises:
 a first tray and a fourth tray which are reflections of each other; a second tray and a fifth tray which are reflections of each other; and a third tray and a sixth tray which are reflections of each other; wherein the first tray, second tray, third tray, fourth tray, fifth tray, and sixth tray each contain a plurality of compartments; 
 wherein the first tray has an arcuate shape; 
 wherein the second tray has an outer perimeter that extends about three-quarters of the circumference of a circle, and surrounds a central cutout; 
 wherein the third tray has a rectangular shape with one corner being shaped to include an arc that cooperates with the second tray to complete the central cutout and form an ear hole; and 
 wherein each tray compartment contains a cold pack. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the concussion is caused by a blow to the head, or exposure to radio frequencies, or exposure to sonic waves.